The NBA suspended Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer for one year and fined the franchise $30 million on September 2, 2026, after an investigation found the team had improperly channelled millions of dollars to player Kawhi Leonard in violation of league salary cap rules.
The Financial Times reported that an NBA investigation uncovered the improper payments to Leonard. NPR said the penalties stem from salary cap circumvention violations, with the payments to Leonard determined to have bypassed league financial rules.
Leonard was also penalized. The NBA fined him $700,000, according to NPR.